Pressure treating apparatus



April 26, 1938. E FlcKETT ET AL 2,114,999

PRESSXJRE l`TREATING APPARATUS vOriginal Filed June l. 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 3. Y Z Wfm;

April26, 1938. E. FICKETT'ET AL PRESSURE TREATING APPARATUS Original Filed June l, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet vez/M6711 April 26, 1938'.

rE. FICKET-r ET AL PRESSURE TREATING APPARATUS 5 sheets-sheet :s

Original Filed June 1 rl i 6 r- April 26, 1938- E. l.. FlcKL-:TT ET AL 2,114,999

PRESSURE TREATING APPARATUS Original Filed June l. 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 26, 1938. E. L. FICKETT ET Al. 2,114,999

PRESSURE TREATING APPARATUS Original Filed June l. v1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Apr. 26, 1938 UNITED STATES rATEN'i` ori-ICE PRESSURE TREATING APPARATUS Jersey Application June 1, 193s, serial No. 673304 Renewed September 22, 1937 lili Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for treating absorbent materials with liquid under pressure of a degree suilcient to effect rapid impregnation of the material with the liquid employed for treatment. The invention is herein disclosed as embodied in an improved type of apparatus designed for tempering leather soles with water, but it is not limited either to the treatment of leather soles or to the"usof water as the treating liquid.

In an earlier application for Letters Patent of the United States Serial No. 661,264, filed in our names March 17, 1933, we have disclosed and claimed certain improvements in apparatus for the same general purpose in which successive operations are brought about in a certain sequence under control of automatic electrical means, whereby a complete cycle of all the necessary operations may be accomplished without human intervention other than that required to supply the work to be treated and the act of pressing a button to initiate the cycle.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved type of apparatus in which a desired sequence of operations will be brought about automatically without utilizing any electrical controlling means.

Another object is to provide an automatic apparatus of the type set forth in which the mechanical and hydraulic features are simpler and rendered more certain of operation.

As herein illustrated the present invention is embodied in an apparatus comprising a pressure-sustaining receptacle in which a treating liquid and the work to be treated thereby may be confined. For convenience of description, but not with any limiting intention, the treating liquid will be hereinafter referred to as Water, since water alone is the liquid most commonly used to temper leather soles.

The treatment receptacle is provided with a removable closure to which closing and opening movements are imparted by. an automatic mechanism including a hydraulic operating unit. The closure is provided with means by which it may be tightened against the receptacle and released therefrom, the tightening means being so combined with the hydraulic operating unit as to be operated thereby rst to tighten the closure and thereafter to release it.

The apparatus also includes a source of water under pressure of a degree sufficient not only to operate the aforesaid hydraulic unit but also to effect rapid and thorough impregnation of the work with the water supplied to the receptacle.

Both the treatment receptacle and the hydraulic operating unit are supplied with water from this common source under control of valves that operate automatically to complete a cycle of operations in consequence of one manually imparted movement of a primary controlling valve by which the cycle is initiated.

Once the cycle has been initiated the following results are brought about automatically. The closure is moved to its operative position on the receptacle and maintained in pressure-sustaining relation thereto; water from the source of supply is pumped into the receptacle and the air initially in the receptacle is expelled through a vent in the closure; when all air has been expelled the vent is automatically closed by a floatvalve the closing of which initiates the development of tempering pressure of the liquid in the receptacle; the tempering pressure continues for a predetermined length of time governed by an automatic timing device or, if preferred, it may continue only until a certain maximum degree of pressure is attained, whereupon the receptacle is cut oi from the source of water supply, the pressure in the receptacle is relieved, the closure is released and retracted from the receptacle, and

the timing device, if used, is restored to its initial position. p

A feature of the invention consists in a novel and improved organization of elements comprising a valve movable manually to initiate a cycle of operations by directing liquid from the cornmon source to the operating unit whereby the closure is carried to and clamped against the receptacle, and fluid controlled means thereafter operable automatically in consequence of closing movement of the closure to supply liquid from the common source into the receptacle, to maintain' the pressure of the liquid in the receptacle for a certain length of time, to release' the pressure in the receptacle, and to retract the closure.

Another novel feature consists in an improved combination comprising the closure, its operating unit and the timing device. These elements are so related that closing movement of the closure sets the timing device in operation and opening movement of the closure restores the timing device to its initial position.

Stillanother novel feature consists in an automatic pressure-operated valve that normally closes the conduit `through which water from the source of supply is admitted to the treatment receptacle. This valve is arranged to be opened by the pressure of water by which the hydraulic the closure is clamped.

. cycleafter termination of a period: and

The various novel features and novel combina ytions of features constituting the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and are hereinafter described anddcned in the claims.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus partly broken away to conserve space, the closure vof the treatment receptacle being shown as fastened to the receptacle which is to be regarded as full of water, although no water is represented;

Fig. 2 is a top-plan view ofthe receptacle and adjacent elements in the same condition as thatA represented in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of an automatic pressure-operated valve mechanism for controlling the draining of water from the treatment receptacle; the parts being in non-draining position as during a period oftreatment;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the entire apparatus,

the closure being retracted but the primary controlling valve having been placed in the position that initiates a cycle of operations;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the treatment receptacle in a plane intersecting an overflow conduit;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the lower portion of a dash-pot that automatically controls the length of the pressure-tempering period, the position of the piston corresponding to a late stage of the pressure-tempering period as in Figs. 1 and 10; A y

Fig. 7 is a cross-section through the structure intersected by line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the primary control valve and a fragment of the upper portion of the treatment receptacle, the valve being in the position that initiates a cycle of operations as represented in Fig. 4. The plane of this section is indicated by line 6-6 of Fig. 9; A

Fig. 9 is a cross-section through the same valve mechanism but in a plane at right angles to that of Fig. 8 as represented by line 9-9 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an elevation of the same valve mechanism from thesame point of view'as that represented in Fig. 4 but corresponding to that stage of the cycle represented in Fig. 1, see line I-ID of Fig. 8; l

Fig. 11 is a vertical section through two checkvalves in by-pass relation one of which admits water to the treatment receptacle, and the other of which releases water therefrom to relieve the pressure in the receptacle at the conclusion oi' the pressure-tempering period, the plane. of the section being indicated by line II-II in Fig. 9; Fig. 12 is an elevation corresponding `to Fig.

10 except that it includes a pressure-operated device arranged to serve in lieu of a timing device, its eect being to terminate the pressure-tempering period as soon as the pressure in the treatment receptacle is developed toa predetermined degree;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 9 except that the primary controlling valve stands in its initial position as in the latter stages of -a pressure-tempering Fig. 14 is a view corresponding to Fig. 10 except that it represents the primary controlling valve as having been returnedto its initial position as mFig'. 13 in consequence of being released by the automatic timing device.

. Referringto the drawings, and more particu- 38 and 36 are connected larly to Figs. 1 and 4, the apparatus is mounted on a platform I supported by legs 2, 2 which provide a space fora motor I and a pump 5 both supported by the platform. The platform also supports a pressure-sustaining treatment receptacle I0 which may have, for example, a capacity for treating 100 soles at a time.

'Ihe receptacle I6 is preferably cylindrical and its upper end is formed to be closed and tightly sealed by a removable closure I2. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 8 .the closure is provided with four radially movable fastening members I4 for securing vthe closure to the receptacle in pressure-tight relationship. To cooperate with the fastening members I4, the receptacle is provided with an annular hub lhaving an internal flange 1 I6. When the closure I2 is seated on the receptacle and the members I4 are projected under the f lange I6 as shown in Figs.l, 2 and 8 they opbers. When the members I4 are retracted they and the closure I2 may pass freely through the space surrounded by the flange I6. To insure a pressure-tight joint between the receptacle and the closure, a compressible gasket 26 is arranged in a groove 2I in the hub of the receptacle. This gasket I provides a seat for the margin of the closure.

To diametrically opposite bosses 22 are formed on the hub I5 and are bored to receive a pair of vertically extending rods 24 which serve to guide the closure to and from the receptacle. As Ashown in Fig. 1, shoulders formed on the rods 24 are seated on the upper faces of the bosses 22, and nuts 29 screwed on the lower ends of the rods serve to anchor the rods rigidly to the bosses.

,Brackets 26 (Figs. l and-2) ailixed to the closure by bolts 26 are bored to provide bearing portions that surround the rods 24 and are adapted to slide thereon. 'Ihe upper ends of the guide rods 24 (Fig. 1) are rigidly connected and braced by a yoke Il, one end of which, appearing at the right in Fig. 1, isprovided with an extension 3l including a boss. 32 through which a vertical hole is bored to guide the piston rod 56 of a timing device hereinafter. described.

'I'he yoke 30 also supports a double-acting hydraulic operating unit in coaxial relation to the receptacle I0. This operating unit not only carries the closure I2 to and from its operative position on the receptacle I0 but it also operates the radially movable fastening members I4. 'Ihe operating unit comprises a hydraulic cylinder 33, a piston 35, and a piston-rod 36. 'I'he piston-rod extends through a'gland 3l of a stuillng box in the cylinder head 36 afllxed to the underside of the yoke 30. The upper end of the cylinder is closed by a head 36 having a port 40 for'ingress and egress of water. `The upper end of a pipe IOI (Fig. 4) is connected to this port. 'I'he heads by tie-rods 4I provided with clamping nuts 42. The lower end of the `cylinder 33 is alsoprovided with a port for ingressvand egress of water that flows to and fro through a pipe. |25 l(Fig.l 4).

The lower-end of the piston rod 36 is provided with a cylindrical toothed rack 80, the teeth of which are in mesh with four pinions 8i, as shown in Figs. 1 and f2. 'I'he pinions are rotatably mounted on'individual supporting pins 64 carried by a portion-66 formed on the closure I2. 'I'he plnions are also in mesh respectively with rackteeth 82 formed on the movable fastening members I4. The closure, the fastening members |4 and the hydraulic operating unit are so combined and organized that when the closure is supported in its retracted position by the operating unit as shown in Fig. 4, the fastening members I4 must be retracted toward the center of the closure, since the load comprising the closure and the fastening members is sustained by the intermeshing teeth of the pinions and the cylindrical rack 80. On the other hand, when the closure descends to its seat upon the receptacle I0, as shown in Fig. 1. the receptacle sustains the load and continued downward movement of the piston 35, due to hydraulic pressure on the upper side of the piston, causes the pinions 8| to project the fasteningmembers I4 under the ange I6. The closure is then forced downwardly against the gasket 20 not only by the hydraulic pressure above the piston 35 but also by the Wedging action of the members Iii. This pressure-tight relationship of the closure and the receptacle is maintained throughout the pressure-tempering period, at the conclusion of which the hydraulic pressure in the cylinder 33 is transferred from the upper face of the piston 35 to the lower face, whereupon the piston rises. To pick up the load, the piston must rst retract the fastening members I4, but when their retractory movement toward the center of the closure is arrested by abutting shoulders 81 and 88 (Fig. 2) they cause the rack 80 to pick up the load and carry the closure I2 to its initial position, as shown in Fig. 4.

Water for operating the piston 35 (Fig. 1) and for tempering the work may be obtained from a supply pipe 9| (Fig. 4) connected with any available source of supply, such as a street main. This pipe delivers the water into a small storage tank 90 and is provided with a manually operative shut-olf valve 92. A float-valve (not shown) may be provided in the tank 90 to maintain the water at a suitable level therein. The tank 90 is included in a circuit comprising a pipe 93, the pump 5, a pipe 96, and a return branch 91 leading back into the tank 90 through a pressure-regulating valve 98. Thus, the pump 5, which operates continuously, will maintain pressure of the water in the pipes 96 and 91, and the water driven by the pump will circulate continuously through the regulating valve 98 except when it is directed elsewhere.

The pipe 96 also delivers water to the treatment receptacle and to the cylinder 33 of the hydraulic operating unit under control of a primary controlling valve (Figs. 8, 9 and 13). This valve is arranged to oscillate through an arc of 90 in a valve casing |00, and has a stem |20 that projects through packing I I8 and is provided ylith an operating handle |02 secured by a key IliffY The casing |00 has a supply port |22, two distributing ports |23 and |24, and a draining port |58. The valve ||5 has two separate channels IIS and ||1 the rst of which is arranged to connect the supply port |22 alternatively with'the distributing ports |23 and |24, while the channel ||1 is arranged to connect the draining port |58 alternatively with the distributing ports.

The val-ve ||5 is initially maintained in the position shown in Figs. 13 and 14 by a spring |46, one end of which is attached to an arm |45 forming a part of the handle |02. When the valve is in this position water under pressure from the pump 5 may ilow from the pipe 96 through the supply port |22 in the valve casing |00, through the channel I6 in the valve, and thence into the lower end of the cylinder 33 of the hydraulic operating unit through a distributing conduit including the port |24 and the pipe |25. 'Ihe water is thus caused to raise the piston 35 and to maintain it at the upper end ofthe cylinder 33 while the attendant arranges a collection of soles4 for treatment. Moreover, while the valve ||5 stands in its initial position it also provides for returning water from the upper portion of the cylinder 33 to the storage tank 90 through port 40 (Fig. l), pipe |0| (Fig. 4), port |23 (Fig. 13), channel I|1, port |58 in the casing |00 (Fig. 8), port |62, and return pipe |00 (Fig. 4). v

When the work is ready for treatment, the attendant has merely to swing the handle |02 of the primary controlling valve to the position shown in Fig. 4 where it will be caught and maintained by. a latching nger |40 (Fig. 10) formed on a lever |4| mounted on a pivot |42. This latching member is normally maintained in its latching position by a spring |43, the lever |4| being thereby maintained against a stop |44 while the latchlng finger |40 is maintained in a notch |39 formed in a stud |38 carried by and projecting from the handle |02 (Fig. 8). In this position the valve ||5 releases thewater from the lower end of the cylinder 33, supplies water from the. pump to the upper end of the cylinder, and eventually supplies water from the pump to the interior of the treatment receptacle I0. This position of the valve I5 is shown also in Figs. 8 and 9. Now the water from the pump is directed into the upper end of the cylinder 33 through the following connections:

The water now expelled from.

in the valve casing |00 (Fig. 9), channel ||1, l

draining port |58, port |62, and return pipe |08.

While the piston 35 (Fig. 1) is descending to apply the closure I2 to the treatment receptacle I0, the cylinder 33 utilizes the hydraulic pressure developed by the pump, but when the piston reaches the lower limit of its travel the pressure of the Water operating thereon increases sulficiently to open a normally closed check-valve through which some of this water may flow into the treatment receptacle. This check-valve is indicated at |30 in Figs. 9 and 11 and is located in a branch conduit that connects the receptacle with the distributing port |23. Since no more water can flow to the cylinder 33, .the full pressure developed by the pump opens the valve I 30 against the force of a closing spring |32, Whereupon the water may flow through the branch conduit comprising the outlet |26 (Fig. 9), a pipe |03 (Figs. 3 and 4) a Valve casing |05, a check-valve |54, and a pipe |06 that leads into the treatment' receptacle.

The water flowing through the pipe |03 into the valve casing |05 operates against a flexible diaphragm |53, the purpose of which is to control the discharge of water from the treatment receptacle. As shown in Fig. 3, the diaphragm |53 is arranged to stop the flow of water through an outlet port at its right-hand side so long as theV Fifi sure developed by the pump 5 will lcause the receptacle I to be lled with water and will thereafter maintain tempering pressure of the water in the receptacle until the valve is returned to its initial position.

On the other hand, when pressure against the left-hand side of the diaphragm |53 is relieved as hereinafter explained, the back pressure from the receptacle |0 will force the diaphragm |53 to the leit, since the check-valve |54 will prevent such back pressure from acting on the left-hand face of the diaphragm. Consequently, the diaphragm will open communication between the pipe |00 y and a discharge pipe |5| through which some of the water in the receptacle may iiow. The disy charge pipe |5| delivers the discharged water into an overflow or draining conduit |50 (Figs. 4 and 5) formed on the exterior of the receptacle |0. The water in the receptacle may therefore descend to the level at which the pipe |5| is connected to the overiiow |50, this level being indicated by a horizontal broken line in Fig. 5.

-Referring to Fig. 9, the check-valve |30 may be regulated to remain closed until any desired pressure has been developed in the port |23. For this purpose,'the closing spring |32 surrounding the valve stem |35 may be compressed by a screwthreaded sleeve |33 to maintain various degrees of closing force. 'I'he sleeve |33 is screwed into an internal screw-thread |34-in the casing 00 and is provided with a bore |31 in its upper end in which the valve stem may play up and down. A screw-cap |35 screwed on the upper portion of the sleeve |33 may be screwed down to maintain the sleeve against accidental turning and to guard against leakage through the screw connection between the sleeve and the valve casing. A small port |29 forms a by-pass around the valve |30 to insure the maximum available water-pressure in the receptacle |0 during the pressure-tempering period, but this by-pass port is not of sumcient capacity to ll the receptacle at the desired rate. l

As shown in Figs. ll and 13, the valve cas-` ing |00 is provided with another by-pass around the valve |30, the purpose of this by-pass being to aord quick relief of the pressure against the left hand side of the diaphragm |53 (Fig. 3) at the conclusion of the -pressure-tempering period. This by-pass comprises ports and |12, and is normally closed by a spring-pressed checkvalve |10 so arranged as to prevent the ow of water from the source of supply into the receptacle but to permit ilow in the opposite direction Y sufilcient for the purpose stated.

When the primary controlling valve ||5 is returned to its initial position (Fig. 13) as hereinafter explained, to terminate the pressure-A tempering period, its channel ||1 connects the port |23 with the drain port |50. 'I'his connection not only drains the upper end of the cylinder 33 (Fig. 4) through pipe |0| but it also causes a quickl drop of pressure against the left hand side of the diaphragm v|53 (Fig. 3), since the checkvalve |10 and the small by-pass |29 (Fig. 13)

`both permit water in the rpipe |03 to w back into the port |23 and thence through the draining channel ||1. At this point the higher pressure in `the receptacle I0 deects the diaphragm |53 to the left, whereupon a small quantity of water in the receptacle is discharged through pipe |05, valve casing |05, pipe 5| and overow drain |50.

As hereinbefore explained, the first movement of the primary controlling valve ||5 to the position represented in Figs. 4, 8, 9 and 10 initiates the operation of the hydraulic operating unit by which the closure |2 is applied to the receptacle and by which the members I4 are operated to supplement the closing torce applied to the closure. This position oi' the primary controlling valve also directs water under pressure from the pump through the valve |30 (Fig. 9) and into the receptacle l0. In d'ue course, the primary valve ||5 will be returned automatically to its initial position as shown in Figs. 13 and 14 by automatic means including the spring |45 and either of two alternative controlling devices one of which is a timing device that governs the length of the pressure-tempering period.

As herein shown this timing device comprises a hydraulic dash-pot, the cylinder 50 of which contains oil and stands upright on the platform (Figs. 1, 4 and 6), its lower head 5| being secured to the platform by screws 52. The piston 54 is afilxed to the lower end of a tubular pistonrod 55 through which a regulating rod or stem 55 extends. The upper end oi.' this inner rod is provided with a handle 51 (Figs. 1 and 4) by which it may be rotated to regulate the timing effect of the dash-pot. A pointer 5| formed on the handle 51 cooperates with a scale 50 carried by a member 50secured to the upper end of the tubular piston-rod 55. 'I'he tubular rod 55 extends loosely through a bearing 51 in a spider 55 formed on the upper end of the piston, and in operation the tubular rod is capable of a short vertical movement relative to the piston whereby t-he lower end of the tubular rod is movable to and from a valve seat 55 surrounding a passageway 54 through the bottom of the piston. The extent oi' such relative movement may be regulated by a nut 50 screwed on and carried by the rod 55. E

When thev closure I2 is rising to the position shown in Fig. 4, the lug |55 (Fig. 1) projecting from one of the brackets 25 carried by the closure engages and lifts a weight 14 ailixed to the rod 55. Under these conditions, the piston 54 (Fig. 6) is raised to the upper end oi' the cylinder 50 by the collar 50 on-the lower end of the pistonrod 55. and the oil in the cylinder 50 may flow freely through the opening 54. On the other hand, when the closure l2 descends the weight 14 is deprived of the supporting effect ot the lug |55, with the result vthat the rod 55 drops to its ferring the load of the weight to the piston and to the oil below the piston. The oil can now iow upwardly through the opening 54 only as rapidly as ity may pass through a restricted passageway formed in part by the interior of the rod 55, in part by a face 1| of the regulating rod 55, and in part by a small port 10 extending radially through the rod 55 above the piston head, Under these conditions the descent of the piston is slow and may require several minutes. Turning the inner rod 55 relatively tothe outer rod 55 regulates the rate of flow of the oil. through this restrictedpassageway and thereby regulates the speed at which the piston may descend.

The piston-rod 55 also carries a collar 15 (Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 14) which, when the piston 54 is about to reach its lower limit of travel, depresses the lever |4|, as shown in Fig. 14, and thereby disengages the latching nger |40 from the notch in the stud |38. The primary controlling valve is thus tripped and is returned to itsinitial posig seat on 'the piston (Fig. 6), thereby transtion, whereupon the draining channel in the primary controlling valve drains the upper end of the cylinder 33 V(Fig. 4) and at the same time relieves the pressure on the left-hand side of the diaphragm |53 (Fig. 3).

Referring to Fig. 13, the channel ||1 now permits the water above the 4piston 35 (Fig.- 1) to return to the storage tank 90 through port 40, pipe (Fig. 4), port |23 (Fig. 13), channel port |58, port |62 (Fig. 8) and pipe |08 (Fig. 4). At the same time, the water from the pump releases the closure |2 from the treatment` receptacle and raises the closure to its initial position, the operating connection to the lower end of the cylinder 33 including supply pipe 96,

port |22, channel H8, port |24 and pipe |25. As

' ping of the lever |4| is effected vby the development of a certain pressure of the liquid in the receptacle I0 irrespective of the time factor. For this purpose, a pipe |80 forms communication between the interior of the receptacle and a chamber |8| in which a piston |82 is. arranged. A stem |83 extends from the piston through -a screw-threaded plug |86 and is arranged to operate the lever |4| to release the valve-'restraining stud |38. A spring |84 surrounding the stem |83 bears against a head |85 at the lower end of the stem and thereby normally depresses the piston |82. The plug |86 may be screwed up or down to regulate the applied force of the spring |84 and thus determine the degree of fluid pressure required to release the primary controlling valve.

To insure filling the treatment receptacle |0 with water for tempering purposes after the closure l2 has been applied and tightly secured, the closure is provided with a venting device ||0 (Figs. 1 and 2) through Which all air initially in the receptable may be expelled as water is pumped in.- This venting device encloses a oat valve ||2 by which the vent is automatically closed by the water when all air has been expelled.

The closure I2 is utilized to carry the work into the treatment receptacle and to remove it therefrom. For this purpose, slides |52 on the bottom of the closure are arranged to receive supporting anges at the top of a perforated container |50 in which the soles are placed.

As shown in Fig. l, a valved pipe |90 is conne'ed to the bottom of the receptacle |0 to provide for completely draining and cleaning the receptacle when desired, but in the usual course of operation the liquid in the receptacle will never descend below the intermediate level indicated by a broken line in Fig. 5. How-ever, the small quantity of water that is discharged from the receptacle through the pressure-operated draining valve shown in Fig. 3 after each pressuretempering period will carry oiil some of the dirt and other `foreign substances that may be brought into the receptacle by the work. It will be understood, moreover, that the supply of fresh or clean water available in the storage tank 90 will, in every case, counteract the partial discharge through the vdrain pipe |6| and the overilow |60.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:-

1. An apparatus for treating articles with liquid comprising a pressure-sustaining treatment receptacle, a removable closure. therefor, a hydraulic operating unit by which said closure is carried to, clamped against, and retracted from the receptacle all by hydraulic pressure, a

source of liquid under pressure, conduits through which liquid may be supplied from said source to said operating unit and to the receptacle, a Valve movable manually -to initiate a cycle of operations by directing liquid tofsald operating unit .through one of said conduits, and duid-controlled means thereafter operable automatically in consequence of closing movementof said closure to supply liquid from said source into the receptacle, to maintain the pressure of the liquid in the receptacle for a certain length of time, to release the pressure in the receptacle, and to retract said closure. l

2. An apparatus for treating articles with liquid comprising a source of liquid under pressure, a pressure-sustaining treatment receptacle, a movable closure for said receptacle, means for tightening said closure against the receptacle, a hydraulic operating unit by which said tightening means and said closure are both operable to release the closure and retract it from the receptacle, conduits for supplying liquid from said source to said receptacle and to said unit, and automatic means by which communication is controlled between said source and said receptacle and between said source and said operating unit.

3. An apparatus for treating articles with liquid comprising a source of liquid under pressure, a pressure-sustaining treatment receptacle, a movable closure for said receptacle, means for tightening said closure against the receptacle, a hydraulic operating unit by which said closure and said tightening means are both operable to close the receptacle and fasten the closure, conduits for supplying liquid` from said source to said receptacle and to said unit, valve means for controlling communication between said source and said receptacle and between said source and said operating unit, and automatic means for operating said valve means.

4. An apparatus for treating articles with liquid comprising a source of'liquid under pressure, a pressure-sustaining treatment receptacle, a movable closure for said receptacle, means for tightening said closure against the receptacle, a hydraulic operating unit by which said tightening means and said closure are both operable to release the closure and retract it from the receptacle, conduits through which .liquid may be supplied from said source to said receptacle and said operating unit, and automatic means for closing communication between said source and said receptacle and simultaneously establishing an operating connection between said operating unit and said source of liquid.

5. An apparatus for treating articles' with liquid comprising a source of liquid under pressure, a pressure-sustaining treatment receptacle, a movable closure for said receptacle, a hydraulic operating unit by which such closure is operable to close Vand open the receptacle, conduits for supplying liquid from said source to said receptacle and to said unit, a valve operable manually to 1| direct liquid from said source to said operating unit whereby closing movement is imparted to but operable 'by a certain pressure of the liquid 'on the supply side thereof to open such communication, and. automatic means bywhich said manually operable valve is operated to close said communication and direct liquid from said source to said operating unit through a connection whereby said unit is operated to retract said closure from the receptacle. l

6. An apparatus for treating articles with liquid comprising a pressure-sustaining treatment receptacle, a movable closure therefor, a doubleacting hydraulic operating unit by which said closure is moved to and from the receptacle, a valve casing having a supply port, a draining port and two distributing ports, a conduit connecting said supply port with a source oi liquid under press Y e, distributing conduits connecting said distributing portsv respectively with opposite ends of saidoperating unit, a valve having a supply channel arranged to connect said supply port alternatively with each of said distributing ports and also having a draining channel arranged to connect said drain port alternatively with each of said distributing ports, and a branch' conduit connecting one of said distributing ports with the receptacle to supply liquid thereto and to drain liquid therefrom under control of said valve.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 having a spring-closed check-valve in said branch conduit arranged to be opened by. av certain pressure of -liquid between it and the valve rst mentioned.

8. An apparatus as dened in claim 5 having two check-valves in 'by-pass relation in said branch conduit, one arranged to supply liquid to the receptacle and the other to release liquid therefrom, and a spring .arranged normally to close the 'supply check-'valve while the liquid on the supply side thereof is flowing toward said operating unit.

9. An apparatus for treating articles with liquid comprising a pressure-sustaining treatment receptacle, a removable closure therefor, a hydraulic operating unit by which said closure is operated to close and-open the receptacle, a primary controlling valve having a supply channel and a draining channel, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said supply channel, distributing conduits controlled alternatively byv said supply channel and said draining channel, one-of said conduits forming connections with the receptacle and one end of said operating unit and the other forming connection with the other end of said unit, and automatic timing means arranged to move said valve to a position'in which said operatingunit will be supplied with liquid to retract said closure fromv the receptacle.

10. An apparatus for, treating articles with liquid comprising a pressure-sustaining treatment receptacle, a removable closure therefor, a hydraulic operating unit ,by which said closure is operated to close and open the receptacle, a primary controlling valve having a supply channel and a draining channel, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said .supply channel, distributing conduits controlled alternatively by 'said' supply channel. and said draining channel, one of said conduits forming connections-with the receptacle andone end of said operating unit and the other forming connection with the other end of said unit, and means operable by a certain pressure of the liquid in the receptacle to move said valve to a position in which said operating unitwill be supplied with liquid to retract said closure from the receptacle.

1l. An apparatus for treating articles with liquid comprising a sou`rce of liquid under pressure.

a pressure-sustaining treatment receptacle, a i

movable closure for said receptacle, a doubleacting hydraulic cylinder the piston of which is operable in one direction to impart closing movement and in the opposite direction to impart opening movement to` said closure, a two-way valve by which liquid from said source may be supplied to the ends of said cylinder alternatively, means for supplying liquid to the receptacle from a point between said valve and said cylinder, and automatic means including a timing device by which said valve is operated to cut off the receptacle and one end of said cylinder from said source and to direct the liquid from the latter to the opposite end of said cylinder.

l2. An apparatus for treating articles with liquid comprising a pressure-,sustaining treatment receptacle, a movable closure for said receptacle, a double-acting Vhydraulic cylinder the piston of which is operable in one direction to impart closing movement and in the opposite direction to impart opening movement to said closure, a 'seurce of liquid under pressure, valve means and distributing conduits arranged to supply liquid from said source into one end of said cylinder and to drain the opposite end theresaid receptacle, hydraulic means operable lby liq-` uid .from said source to retract said closurefrom the receptacle, a timing device, automatic valve means controlled by said timing device to supply 5 liquid from said source to operate said hydraulic means, and means operable by said hydraulic means to restore said timing device to its initial position.

14. An apparatus for treating articles with liquid comprising a source of liquid under pressure, a treatment receptacle, a removable closure for said receptacle, hydrauliomeans operable .by liquid from said source to retract said closure from the receptacle, a uid-controlled timing device, automatic valve means controlled by said timing device to supply liquid from said source to operate said hydraulic means, and means operable by said hydraulic means to restore said timing device to its initial position.

15. An apparatus for treating articles with liquid comprising a source of liquid underpressure,`

a treatment receptacle, a removable closure for said receptacle, hydraulic means Aoperable .by liquid from said source-to retractsaid closure from the receptacle, a timing device arranged to be set in operation'by closing movement of 'said' closure, and automatic means controlled by said timing device yto establish an operating connec-f,

tion between saidsource 'and"'said hydraulic means whereby' the latter isfcaused to retract'the closure. Y

16.A An apparatus for treating articles "with liq-- uid comprising a source of liquid under 'pressure,' a treatment receptacle, a removableclosure for draullc means whereby some of said liquid is supplied to the receptacle to treat the work said receptacle, hydraulic means operable by liquid from said source to impart closing movement to said closure, primary valve means for controlling the ow of liquid from Asaid. source to said hydraulic means, and a normally closed valve arranged to be opened by a certain pressure of the liquid exerting closing force on said hytherein.

ERNEST L. FICKETT. WILLIAM O. FORMAN. PHILIP E. ARTHUR. 

